The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has issued a stern warning that any incident of ballot box snatching during the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, July 12, 2025, will necessitate a by-election in the affected local council area.
At a press briefing held on Thursday at the Tripple C Event Centre in Sabo, Yaba, the commission’s Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (retd.), assured Lagos residents of LASIEC’s preparedness to conduct a free, fair, and credible election across all 57 local councils in the state.
“There will be by-elections if a ballot box is snatched anywhere,” Justice Okikiolu-Ighile emphasized, responding to journalists’ queries. She added, “While we don’t pray for such to happen, there would be a need to conduct a by-election in any local council where such happened.”
Okay.ng reports that LASIEC has firmly ruled out any postponement of the elections, reaffirming the commission’s commitment to transparency and fairness.
In a related development, the Lagos State Police Command has announced security measures to ensure a peaceful voting process. The police have deployed 30,000 personnel across strategic locations and adjusted vehicular movement restrictions to accommodate residents’ medical emergencies and international travel plans.
According to Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin, the restriction on movement will now begin at 6:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. on election day, instead of the previously announced 3:00 a.m. start time. Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh reiterated the force’s dedication to maintaining a secure and orderly election environment.
The elections will cover local government and local council development areas, marking a significant event in Lagos State’s democratic calendar.
